Those who know Senator Abdulaziz Yari know that he is extremely wealthy—far beyond the tens of billions. What many cannot tell you, however, is where this wealth came from. The only known source his associates can point to is his tenure as Governor of Zamfara State. But then, is the office of governor meant to be a money-spinning venture?
Senator Abdulaziz Yari had no known factory, no known large-scale farm, and no known business enterprise capable of generating the kind of wealth he possesses today. So where did all the money come from? That question will, of course, generate controversy. Yet it is not out of place to ask it. Should public office be a source of personal wealth? Should politicians derive their fortunes from public service rather than from legitimate and verifiable business activities?
In Senator Yari’s case, a series of investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) provide grounds upon which many Nigerians, particularly Zamfara indigenes, may trace his wealth to public resources.
In 2022, Senator Yari was reportedly grilled by the EFCC over an alleged attempt to move N300 billion from a corporate account in a commercial bank shortly after he had forfeited assets believed to be proceeds of corruption.
In 2022, following proceedings initiated by the ICPC, a Federal High Court ordered the final forfeiture of N278,989,960 traced to the former governor. The funds were reportedly held across multiple Zenith Bank and Polaris Bank accounts in his name and in the names of companies linked to him, including Kayatawa Nigeria Limited and B.T. Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited. The forfeiture covered several cash holdings in both Naira and foreign currencies.
Additionally, the ICPC secured an interim court order in February 2022 for the forfeiture of 10 properties allegedly linked to him and located across Abuja, Kaduna, Zamfara State, and Maryland in the United States.
As of the same year, Senator Yari was also under investigation over alleged fraud connected to the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P). Although the EFCC has not secured a successful prosecution in the matter, the allegations continue to linger over him.
There was also his arrest in connection with allegations involving former Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris. He was alleged to have received N22 billion from the former Accountant-General.
All of these allegations paint a troubling picture that raise serious questions about the sources of Senator Yari’s wealth and whether they can withstand any rigorous moral or ethical scrutiny.
But beyond the cloud of corruption allegations that surrounds Senator Yari is what many consider his reputation for political duplicity. He is widely perceived as someone who says one thing in one place and something entirely different elsewhere. He has earned a reputation for playing political games rather than being straightforward in his dealings.
Recall the criticism levelled against him by Senator Kabir Marafa during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari. According to Marafa, Yari would visit President Buhari in Abuja, praise him lavishly, and commend his administration. Yet upon returning to Zamfara State, he would criticise the same President, insult him and accuse him of failing to secure the country.
That is the nature of Senator Yari’s politics. He says one thing here and another thing elsewhere.
According to Marafa: “You only take the sunny side of government but the ugly side you say you are not responsible,” he said about Yari. “When it comes to the money of Zamfara State, he is the governor of Zamfara State. When it comes to the protection of lives of the people of the state, then it is President Muhammadu Buhari that is responsible. And the worst thing that I always say is that this is the first person that has unfettered access to the President.
“Now, have you been telling the President the truth? This is where the challenge lies. When he comes to the Villa, he tells you that the President is doing very well. When he goes back to the state, he says security is not his responsibility but that of the President, and he didn’t do it.”
Today, this is the same man who claims to be a friend of President Bola Tinubu. On one hand, he publicly professes support for the President and is said to sponsor activities in support of him. On the other hand, he is being accused of financing efforts aimed at undermining the same President.
Earlier this week, a group known as the Zamfara Youth Indigenes Forum (ZYIF) called on the Senator Yari to desist from coordinating a planned protest against President Tinubu’s Service Chiefs and the Ministers of Defence.
In a statement signed by its leadership, the group claimed that some of its members had been approached and offered money to participate in the planned protest by Senator Yari.
The group accused the former Governor of mobilising opposition against the President’s appointees while simultaneously presenting himself as an ally of the President. Indeed, how can someone who publicly professes loyalty to the President allegedly work behind the scenes against the appointees of that same President? Would that not amount to indirectly undermining the President himself?
It strains belief.
Senator Yari’s loyalty is ultimately to his own political survival and interests. He is not seen as someone driven by friendship, loyalty, or principle, but by calculation and advantage. Relationships are transactional rather than genuine for him.
This is why President Tinubu must carefully reconsider any so-called friendship with Senator Yari. At the very least, he should keep him at arm’s length. Senator Yari brings with him allegations of corruption, questions about his integrity, and a reputation for political double-dealing.
If the President remains uncertain, perhaps he should ask Senator Yari a simple question: how many close friends has he maintained for the past ten years?
For Senator Yari everything is ultimately transactional.
– Mal. Bilyaminu Tsafe, is a member of the APC in Zamfara State.
